Max Verstappen clear there was no ‘miscommunication’ with Red Bull over Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen, Red Bull, looks right over his shoulder. Bahrain, February 2023.
Sergio Perez was left confused and rather unhappy with Red Bull’s radio communication in Jeddah, but Max Verstappen feels there was no communication breakdown.
In the closing stages of the Saudi Arabian GP at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Perez was leading and was on for the fastest lap bonus point as well, and with team-mate Verstappen in P2, it meant Perez was on course to lead the World Championship for the first time in his career.
Perez was managing the pace to bring home that win and head the one-two finish, but Verstappen, having been told by Red Bull that the fastest lap was not of interest as he had complained about further driveshaft issues, nonetheless went on to set it on the final lap, thus ensuring that he goes into the Australian Grand Prix as Championship leader.
Perez was understandably frustrated and felt that different information had been given to him and Verstappen, though by the time he arrived in Melbourne, his stance had changed.
“[Things] are great, we spoke about it and we are all in the same line, we obviously learn from that,” he said as per the official Formula 1 website.
“At the time I thought I was not given the right information but now looking back at it, it was all very well played by the team.”
However, Verstappen is of the opinion that there was not a miscommunication at any stage.
As such, these talks to resolve the matter which Perez spoke of, according to Verstappen, did not happen.
“That was no miscommunication,” he said, as per RacingNews365.com.
“The same thing was also asked in Bahrain, but the other way around. In the end from our side there was no more talk about it.
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“If you look back on the first two [race] weekends, it wasn’t [miscommunication]. We didn’t have any additional explanation either.
“The positive thing is that our car is very competitive and that’s what is required to challenge for championships.”
Never mind very competitive, judging off the first two rounds of F1 2023, that Red Bull RB19 appears outright dominant over the chasing pack, Verstappen and Perez with a win and pole apiece, while both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs ended with Red Bull one-two finishes.
So, the likes of Aston Martin, Mercedes and Ferrari face a huge challenge this weekend in Melbourne if they are to deny Red Bull a first Albert Park victory since 2011.
